Boston Red Sox spark controversy after putting on pre-game drag show for Pride Day
Fenway Park's annual Pride Night has been heavily criticized online in the days since a group of drag queens were welcomed on the field in Boston before the Red Sox hosted the Tampa Bay Rays.
'Gross' and 'disgusting' were just two of the judgements posted on X, where many others joined in the attack.
'Be more like the @ Rangers,' another added, referring to the only Major League Baseball team without a Pride Month celebration.
Several commenters questioned the logic behind MLB events aimed at including LBGTQ+ fans, arguing they're not really baseball's target audience. However, a 2021 survey by the Sociology of Sport Journal found that 30 percent of gay men and 40 percent of lesbians were passionate sports fans, while many others followed sports casually.
Boston's Pride Day differed from other MLB clubs in that the Red Sox invited fans to arrive early for a drag show on the concourse at Fenway Park.
drag queen performs for a crowd of Boston Red Sox on the Fenway Park concourse
The public address announcer at MLB's oldest stadium added a message from the team: 'We know that visibility and inclusivity in sports not only affirm the right of everyone to participate and along, but also enrich the spirit of competition and camaraderie.
'When teams, front offices and fans come together to create welcoming environments, everyone can thrive, and we prove that we are all better when we stand together.'
Massachusetts does have a relatively large LGBTQ community as a share of its population. A 2018 study by Boston Indicators and The Fenway Institute (no relation to the ballpark) found that five percent of Massachusetts citizens identified as LGBTQ, more than all but one state.
That same study found that nearly half of Massachusetts' gay youth had attempted suicide at some point, which is the kind of troubling statistic that's led the Red Sox, MLB and other sports properties to offer Pride Day celebrations.
Regardless, Pride Day still ignited a torrent of criticism directed at the Red Sox, who lost to the Rays, 10-8, as top prospect Roman Anthony made his debut.
'Disgusting and degenerate,' wrote one self-described former fan. 'There is a reason I refuse to watch ya'll anymore. I've been a fan for 30+ years. Focus on the game instead of degeneracy and politics, idiots.'
Per Getty Images, the Red Sox have been welcoming drag queens to Fenway for Pride Day for at least the last four seasons, but that didn't stop one fan from declaring that the 2025 ceremony was her breaking point.
'Unfollowing you and no longer watching your games,' the woman wrote. 'You just lost a 20+ year fan.'
Joining in the on-field ceremony were representatives from the the Boston Legacy Football Club of the NWSL, the Boston Fleet of the PWHL, Boston Common Golf, the NHL's Boston Bruins, and NBA's Boston Celtics.
Fans attending Monday's game were given a Red Sox Pride hat with rainbow coloring — an item some fans found appealing.
'Love it!' wrote the X users. 'Hey at RedSox, where can I get one of those hats? They are stunning!'
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